Slow Burn

[MelanieShaman]

I'm curious if there's much call for slow burn erotica. I've been working on a story off and on for a while, and the story just guided me, instead of the other way around. I'm 8000 words in and there's no sex... yet. Should I even bother publishing it? Is there much call for slow burn?

I love the story so far, but I'm just not sure I should bother sharing it here when it is ready.

 

[Bramblethorn]

https://forum.literotica.com/threads/whats-your-opinion-on-slow-burn-stories.1643654/

What category? Some like Romance and Lesbian are pretty friendly to slow burn, others maybe less so.

 

[MelanieShaman]

https://forum.literotica.com/threads/whats-your-opinion-on-slow-burn-stories.1643654/

What category? Some like Romance and Lesbian are pretty friendly to slow burn, others maybe less so.

Yep, Sapphic romance

 

[Bramblethorn]

Yep, Sapphic romance

Yeah, Lesbian is pretty friendly to slow-burn romances. Quite a few Hall of Fame stories like that.

 

[joy_of_cooking]

Lesbian sex is probably one of the most receptive categories for that kind of story but I think you can pull it off anywhere. I have a non-human story that has a similarly long build.

 

[MelanieShaman]

Lesbian sex is probably one of the most receptive categories for that kind of story but I think you can pull it off anywhere. I have a non-human story that has a similarly long build.

Yeah, in thinking after this one is done, I want to do a trans one (being a trans woman who's currently in that sort of situation, I think I might be about to do it )

 

[SugarStorm]

Yep, Sapphic romance

Come, join us. You’ve already met @Bramblethorn, our honorary lesbian. Over there *points* is @THBGato, keeper of complimentary lesbian starter packs. She’s amazing, and nice. And there we have @redgarters, also amazing, also nice. And @Areala-chan: amazing, nice. Hmm, not sure where @BeneathHerBraid, is but she’s here somewhere.

If you look toward the sea, that small house by the cliff belongs to @onehitwanda. Want to make her happy? Make her sad. Some say she’s proof that joy and heartbreak share the same address. Yeah, we don’t understand it either, but she’s amazing. And nice.

If you encounter any of the old guard, be respectful. They’ve seen things.

There are more of us, but if I start naming everyone, I’m bound to forget my own name. Anyhow - don’t worry about writing slow-burn F/F romance. There’s a place for you here too.

 

[THBGato]

Over there *points* is @THBGato, keeper of complimentary lesbian starter packs.

Oh, right, yes, sorry.... where did I put those?

Ah, yes, here you go: Queens of the Slow Burn. Comes with a complimentary carabiner so you can clip it on.

Welcome! Nice nails.

(PS: there was another thread on this started on Thursday)

 

[redgarters]

Yep, Sapphic romance

Welcome to the sapphic side, we have cookies muffins (and recently, sandwiches).
Don't worry about the word count, just write the story you want to write. My longest one is over 50k words and the sex in it is hardly fireworks-worthy. Still gets read.

And there we have @redgarters, also amazing, also nice.

 

[onehitwanda]

If you look toward the sea, that small house by the cliff belongs to @onehitwanda. Want to make her happy? Make her sad. Some say she’s proof that joy and heartbreak share the same address. Yeah, we don’t understand it either, but she’s amazing. And nice.

You're not allowed to make me sniffly like this before breakfast. It's in the rules.

 

[BeneathHerBraid]

Hmm, not sure where @BeneathHerBraid, is but she’s here somewhere.

Oh my gosh this is the most fun, heartwarming roll call ever

I swear I blinked and suddenly I’m part of this wildly wholesome coven of “amazing and nice” sapphic authors - which, honestly, feels like the right kind of home.

I’m here! Promise! Probably hiding behind a bookshelf with a coffee and too many feelings.

 

[Robin_Starveling]

It seems our cheerful new guild can’t help hijacking every new thread these days, but back to the subject at hand.

No reader who truly cares about the art of writing would object to a slow burn per se, only to the way it's executed.

A legitimate literary device intended to establish characters and setting often ends up as the literal equivalent of watching a log smolder in a fireplace -- tedious.

There's a vast difference between skillfully peeling back the layers of a character and their motives, and rambling through situations, thoughts, and details that contribute little to advancing the story.

The story behind the story should be interesting too. The narration should seize the reader from the very first sentence and hold them spellbound until the last.

If, for whatever reason, I feel like stopping after 500 words, I simply do, and it's never my fault!

Sometimes the narrator irritates me, and still I cannot stop reading; that, to their credit, is a gift no one can teach.

 

[AwkwardlySet]

It seems our cheerful new guild can’t help hijacking every new thread these days, but back to the subject at hand.

No reader who truly cares about the art of writing would object to a slow burn per se, only to the way it's executed.

A legitimate literary device intended to establish characters and setting often ends up as the literal equivalent of watching a log smolder in a fireplace -- tedious.

There's a vast difference between skillfully peeling back the layers of a character and their motives, and rambling through situations, thoughts, and details that contribute little to advancing the story.

The story behind the story should be interesting too. The narration should seize the reader from the very first sentence and hold them spellbound until the last.

If, for whatever reason, I feel like stopping after 500 words, I simply do, and it's never my fault!

Sometimes the narrator irritates me, and still I cannot stop reading; that, to their credit, is a gift no one can teach.

I largely agree, on both accounts. But you've also spoken against long stories in general, so this seems somewhat confusing. Where do you set the limit?

Also, for the sake of a fruitful discussion, and to make things less abstract, can you link a Lit story you consider a well-done slowburn?

 

[Off_base]

It seems our cheerful new guild can’t help hijacking every new thread these days, but back to the subject at hand.

No reader who truly cares about the art of writing would object to a slow burn per se, only to the way it's executed.

A legitimate literary device intended to establish characters and setting often ends up as the literal equivalent of watching a log smolder in a fireplace -- tedious.

There's a vast difference between skillfully peeling back the layers of a character and their motives, and rambling through situations, thoughts, and details that contribute little to advancing the story.

The story behind the story should be interesting too. The narration should seize the reader from the very first sentence and hold them spellbound until the last.

If, for whatever reason, I feel like stopping after 500 words, I simply do, and it's never my fault!

Sometimes the narrator irritates me, and still I cannot stop reading; that, to their credit, is a gift no one can teach.

Mmmm, yesss. So yummy.
A condescending mansplain of the definition of what a slow burn actually is.
Not to be seen, however, as hijacking a post about a sapphic slow burn.
I'm so wet now.

 

[MelissaBaby]

Yep, Sapphic romance

You'll be fine. I have one lesbian story with over 30k words, and it has a 4.83 rating.

 

[Bramblethorn]

If, for whatever reason, I feel like stopping after 500 words, I simply do, and it's never my fault!

Has anybody ever objected to you stopping?

 

[Kelliezgirl]

One of my recent works is 23k words, and the only sex is in the last 1000 words. It has a 4.79 rating at the moment, so I'd say it was well received in the Romance category.

There is a taste for all kinds of things here on Lit.

 

[ShelbyDawn57]

I'm curious if there's much call for slow burn erotica. I've been working on a story off and on for a while, and the story just guided me, instead of the other way around. I'm 8000 words in and there's no sex... yet. Should I even bother publishing it? Is there much call for slow burn?

I love the story so far, but I'm just not sure I should bother sharing it here when it is ready.

From my experience, yes. Here’s one example; Mary Janes is 21k words; 6 Lit pages, and the first sex scene is at the bottom of page 5. It’s done very well.

 

[SugarStorm]

You're not allowed to make me sniffly like this before breakfast. It's in the rules.

Sorry, love. The sapphic side? Runs on angel tears. Didn’t see any rules worth following.

 

[Husky_Embrace]

I'll just pile on the rest to increase the weight of their arguments by sheer volume.

I think we need more slow burn stories. Between the host of easy smut and stroke stories I think we should strive for something more. If you'll give it to us, I'll be happy.

Because let's be honest, are we writing for views? It is an empty statistic. My best story has 3 comments, one of which corrects my grammar. The other two are positive. That's 0,02% of people who were touched enough to write something positive.

For me, that's enough.

Please finish and post the slow burn.

 

[EmilyMiller]

I'm curious if there's much call for slow burn erotica.

While there is sex along the way, my novel takes 86,600 words to get to a relationship resolution. Many talented authors have said that they have enjoyed the first two parts .

 

[iwatchus]

I’m writing my draft for the winter contest. Just started first sex 22k in. I don’t expect to go 2 for 2 in contests, but I expect it be well received. I think it’s better than my average story

 

[EmilyMiller]

I’m writing my draft for the winter contest. Just started first sex 22k in. I don’t expect to go 2 for 2 in contests, but I expect it be well received. I think it’s better than my average story

My Winter Holidays story is 20,000 words of continuous sex

 

[MelissaBaby]

My Winter Holidays story is 20,000 words of continuous sex

My Winter Holidays story is such a slow burn that the narrative starts in February.

 

[MelanieShaman]

You'll be fine. I have one lesbian story with over 30k words, and it has a 4.83 rating.

I have two series that are multiple parts... 70k to around 80k... one of which I need to finish one day lol